CHRISTMAS JAM! ROLAND ROBERTS PRESENTS THE 4TH ANNUAL
Contributed by Roland Roberts
What began as a humble potluck dinner in a cozy tavern in my little community of Fishhook has grown into something much bigger: Christmas Jam, an annual holiday-concert extravaganza dedicated to raising money to support families in need at Christmas in the Mat-Su Valley. Back in its earliest iteration, my bandmates and I gathered with a few close friends, set aside a few casseroles and warm bowls of stew, tuned up our instruments, and invited neighbors to share some music and a simple dinner while we took up a collection for the Mat-Su Valley Special Santa program. That winter evening inspired the idea that music and food could combine into a meaningful way to support children facing hardship.
As word spread, the gathering morphed into a full-blown concert event, moving from the Fishhook Bar to the Palmer Train Depot and now to the MTA Events Center. While Christmas Jam has now gotten too big for the original potluck dishes to remain part of the festivities, the good folks from The Palmer Alehouse will be serving pizza and Christmas libations. Every ticket sold, every donation given, goes toward providing gifts, warm clothes, and holiday meals for kids whose families might otherwise struggle this season. The warmth of the dinner table and the sparkle of the stage
became intertwined.
Today, Christmas Jam in Alaska is more than just a show—it’s a community-embracing celebration of the season. Friends and family from all over the state gather to spread Christmas cheer, then the lights dim and a 3-hour rock show from some of Alaska’s favorite bands— Good Company, The Jephries, and The Roland Roberts Band—begins. Meanwhile, behind the scenes, local sponsors and volunteers ensure that the proceeds reach the children who need them most.
In a place where the winter nights are long and the cold can feel sharp, Christmas Jam serves as a beacon of light and generosity. What started around a simple potluck circle has become a joyous tradition—one where music, com-
munity, and charity converge to remind everyone that the holiday spirit is strongest when we come together and lift each other up. The boys and I cannot believe what an incredible event this has grown into, and we cannot wait to see you all there.
Cheers and Merry Christmas, Roland Roberts
HOLIDAY TALES A SEASON OF MIRACLES:
CELEBRATING THE WARMTH OF THE SEASON WITH PUSHCART PLAYERS
Contributed by Rowan Homes, Alaska Junior Theater
Snow glistens on the ground, the air carries the familiar chill of winter, and homes everywhere begin to glow with twinkling lights and laughter. It’s that special time of year when hearts open a little wider and the spirit of giving feels just within reach. This is the world that comes alive in Holiday Tales – A Season of Miracles, a sparkling collection of stories that celebrate the beauty, kindness, and shared humanity at the heart of the holidays.
With book and lyrics by Ruth Fost and music by Tony Award-winner Larry Hochman, Holiday Tales – A Season of Miracles brings together four beloved stories from different cultures into one joyous theatrical experience. Each tale shines with its own traditions and lessons, reminding audiences young and old that the warmth of the holidays comes not from gifts or glitter but from love, generosity, and understanding.
The show opens with O. Henry’s classic “The Gift of the Magi,” the timeless story of a young couple who sacrifice their most prized possessions to give something meaningful to each other. Their tender act of love reminds us that the greatest treasures can’t be wrapped in paper or tied with a bow; they live in the heart. Next, the stage bursts with color and rhythm in “The Kwanzaa Kite,” an original story set in Nigeria. In this tale, a young child learns the value of community, creativity, and unity— principles that soar as high as the kite that carries the spirit of Kwanzaa into the sky. The laughter continues with “The Chanukah Miracle,” a whimsical story from The Wise Folk of Chelm. This fanciful tale celebrates the power of faith and humor as the people of Chelm discover that even in the smallest miracles, joy can light up the darkest nights. Finally, the familiar magic of “The Nutcracker” by E.T.A. Hoffmann closes the show. With its dreamlike wonder and enchanting music, it captures the
imagination of children and adults alike, reminding everyone that the holidays are a time for both dreams and the joy of believing.
Through these four tales, Holiday Tales – A Season of Miracles becomes more than just a show—it’s a celebration of what connects us all. No matter where we come from or which traditions we hold dear, each story carries the same message: that kindness, hope, and love are the true miracles of the season.
As the snow falls and the lights flicker, audiences will leave the theater not
only humming the music but carrying with them the warmth that makes the holidays so magical. Make your Holiday Tales experience even more magical. Arrive early and join us in the Discovery Theatre Lobby for pre-show fun the whole family will love. Families can take home a free book; listen to a princess share a story; play and explore with The Alaska Children’s Museum; walk through our enchanting Story Tracks; and enjoy even more surprises. Then stay after the show for a sweet celebration—a Milk & Cookie
Reception with the artists and a lively Cake Walk where kids can win prizes. It’s a full day of holiday magic, laughter, and community you won’t want to miss. Don’t miss this heartwarming celebration of the season.
Get your tickets now at CenterTix. com or by calling 263-ARTS. Season tickets for all four upcoming performances are also on sale now, and they make the perfect holiday gift for the theater lovers in your life. Give the gift of joy, connection, and wonder this season.
HELP US GROW OUR CALENDAR!
NOVEMBER
November 13 @ 9AM
Consign49 Fall/Holiday Consignment Sale Consign49 Raven Hall, 2075 Glenn Highway www.consign49.com info@consign49.com
November 17 @ 6PM Taste of Perspectives Perspectives 16005 E. Shawn Dr., Lazy Mountain Bible Church www.akperspectives.org (808) 375-5305
November 20 @ 6PM
Northern Lights Social Mat-Su Democrats
562 S Denali St, Bleeding Heart Brewery matsudems@gmail.com (210) 744-1188
November 21 @ 7PM
Parlor in the Round at the Glenn Massay Theater
The Palmer Arts Council, Parlor in the Round and 95.5 The Pass 8295 E College Dr, Palmer Tickets available at glennmassaytheater.universitytickets.com
November 28 @ 8AM
Spunky Monkey Black Friday & Small Business
Saturday SALE
Spunky Monkey Alaska 449 W Parks Hwy spunymonkeyak.com (907) 357-0711
November 29-30 @10AM
Big Lake Lions Annual Christmas Bazaar
Big Lake Lions
3261 South Big Lake Road, East Lake Mall in Big Lake kasinnett@gmail.com (907) 892-6502
DECEMBER
December 5 @ 1PM
Rhonda Scott Free Print Giveaway for First Friday
Rhonda Scott Art 939 West. 5th Ave, Hotel Captain Cook rhondascottart@icloud.com
December 6 @ 10AM
Women’s Christmas Tea
King’s Alaska 3301 East Parks Highway, Wasilla eddille@fogstudios.com (215) 704-5769
Cost: $30
December 6 @ 9AM
Holiday Pancake Breakfast
Five Loaves Two Fish Kitchen Ministry 501 E. Bogard Road offfice@goodshepluth.org (907) 376-3522
December 7 @ 2PM
What Happens When You Hit the SOS Button
Mat-Su Trails and Parks Foundation
5805 Farm Loop Road, NOLS Campus, Palmer info@revelak.com (907) 903-1664
December 12 @ 10AM
Ken’s Garden Center’s Christmas Market
Ken’s Garden Center 4121 E Diamond Way, Wasilla 907-982-9804
December 13 @ 7PM
Cantora Arctica Christmas Concert: “Good Tidings We Bring”
Cantora Arctica
1150 E Helen Drive, Palmer debby99645@gmail.com
December 13 @ 10AM
Jingle & Mingle Mat-Su Market
Frost Bite
300 E Kalli Circle, Denali Gymnastics & Fitness www akfrostbite.com (907) 671-7897
December 13 @ 10AM
Free Hearing & Balance Screening & Mat-Su Sertoma Club
Fyzical Therapy & Balance Centers 650 N Shoreline Dr, Wasilla amber.alexander@fyzical.com (907) 376-6363
Lily, 6 Georgia, 4
RHONDA SCOTT ART FIRST FRIDAY FREE PRINT GIVEAWAY
Contributed by Rhonda Scott
This year’s exclusive print features “The Nutcracker,” standing tall and proud amid the sparkling holiday décor of the Hotel Captain Cook’s grand lobby, a scene that perfectly captures the magic of the season. Be one of the first 100 guests on December 5 from 1 to 7pm at the Hotel Captain Cook to receive a free print, and stop by The Cubby Coffee Shop, where I’ll personally sign your copy.
While you’re there, browse a festive selection of original artwork, metal and glass pieces, ornaments, holiday cards, and other handcrafted gifts — perfect for anyone on your list or to treat yourself. And don’t miss The Cubby, the hotel’s cozy coffee bar offering local-roasted coffee, comforting bites, and a few adult beverages, all served in a warm, welcoming atmosphere. So come sip, shop, and celebrate the season with us at The Hotel Captain Cook.
THE VALLEY’S GOT TALENT YOU’RE INVITED TO JOIN THE SHOW!
Contributed by Elizabeth Stout, Mat-Su Community Theatre Arts
Hosted by MASCOTarts and Make A Scene Media, in association with the Glenn Massey Theater... Get ready, Mat-Su, it’s your time to shine!
MASCOTarts and Make A Scene Magazine are teaming up to present Valley’s Got Talent, a community-wide showcase inviting performers from every corner of the Valley to step into the spotlight.
This all-ages talent competition is open to absolutely everyone — from the youngest ukulele players to seasoned performers, from family juggling acts to heartfelt solo singers. If you’ve got a talent, big or small, the Valley wants to see it.
How to Enter: Video auditions under two minutes can be submitted online beginning Today through February 1, 2026. A $10 entry fee helps support event production.
After submissions close, the community will take center stage once again—this time as voters! Online voting runs February 22 – March 22, when all audition videos will be posted for public viewing. Rally your friends, family, and neighbors to cheer you on and cast their votes!
Live Semifinals & Finals: The Top 25 entries will advance to the live semifinals on April 29 at the beautiful Glenn Massey Theatre. This high-energy show will be livestreamed, so even those who can’t make it in person can still tune in and vote online.
From there, the top 10 finalists will return the next evening, April 30, for the Grand Final. A thrilling night of live performances judged by a panel of local experts.
Both nights promise laughter, applause, and a powerful reminder of the talent thriving right here in the Mat-Su.
Prizes & Opportunities: The winner of Valley’s Got Talent will receive an exciting prize package filled with gifts from local businesses and sponsors. Even more exciting, they’ll earn a special performance spot at Music in the Park this summer! Talk about a hometown encore.
A Community Celebration: “Valley’s Got Talent is all about celebrating who we are as a community,” says MASCOTarts Executive Director Allen Stout. “We have so many amazing performers of every age and background here in the Valley, and this event gives everyone a stage.”
So, whether you’re ready to show off your skills or just want to cheer on your friends, Valley’s Got Talent promises to be one of the most exciting events of the year.
Audition submissions open Today! Visit www.mascotarts.org for details, rules, and submission links.
TUNDRA CARTOONIST CHAD CARPENTER ESCAPES MALL CAPTIVITY CRAFT SHOWS BRACE FOR IMPACT
Contributed by Andy the Lemming
In a shocking twist that has left mall Santas weeping into their beards and pretzel vendors questioning their pur-
pose, Chad Carpenter, the cartoonist behind the wildly popular TUNDRA comic strip, will not be sitting at the Dimond Center Mall this Christmas season. For the first time in 30 years, Chad won’t be simultaneously doodling cartoons and trying to convince mall security that he’s not loitering. That’s right, no more pretending to be a festive fixture wedged between the pretzel stand and the overly enthusiastic kiosk vendors shoving skin-care samples in your face. He’s broken free! He’s a free-range cartoonist!
“I’ve chewed my way through the duct tape and escaped,” Chad said, probably while sketching a salmon wearing snowshoes. “This year, I’m tak-
ing my talents to the craft-show circuit, where the glitter flows freely and the hot glue guns are always locked and loaded.”
Chad will be popping up at craft shows in both the Mat-Su Valley and Anchorage. You’ll find him surrounded by handmade soap, moose antler earrings, and people who knit things that defy physics. Chad will be there with a table full of TUNDRA goodies: autographed books, calendars, t-shirts, canvas prints, and possibly a few leftover mall pretzels he smuggled out in 2022.
To check out Chad’s holiday schedule, go to www.tundracomics.com
And for those of you who prefer shopping in your underwear (that’s how Chad draws), the NEW TUNDRA WEBSTORE is bursting with more goodies than a reindeer’s fanny pack. We’ve got autographed books (signed and sketched in by Chad’s actual hand, or possibly
foot), calendars
(perfect for keeping track of your court dates), a couple dozen t-shirt designs (for the fashion-forward folks), canvas prints (great for covering the holes in your sheetrock), coffee mugs (for your caffeine addiction), note cards (for your passive-aggressive holiday messages), and more. It’s like Santa’s workshop, but with more toilet humor and fewer elves.
To check out the NEW TUNDRA WEBSTORE, go to www.tundracomicstore.com So, please help Chad continue his noble quest to avoid food-court pizza while also avoiding a real job.
THE MAGIC RETURNS WITH THE NUTCRACKER
Young Alaska Dancers and Anchorage Symphony Orchestra Perform with Eugene Ballet
The Nutcracker is back after a nearly sold out run in 2024 with the holiday magic for this Thanksgiving weekend. For 35 years, The Nutcracker has become a beloved Anchorage tradition that reminds people to dream bigger, leap higher, and experience the wonders of being a kid again.
For the 35th year of this cherished tradition, Anchorage Concert Association is bringing back the elegant Eugene Ballet to perform with Anchorage Symphony Orchestra and young Alaska dancers coordinated by Alaska Dance Theatre.
Eugene Ballet’s production features fantastical sets, costumes, and special effects that leave audiences spellbound and cheering for more, accompanied by live music from the Anchorage Symphony Orchestra and record high of 130 local children coordinated by Alaska Dance Theatre. With Willam Christensen’s historic choreography and Tchaikovsky’s beloved score, many families will kick off the holiday season
with this timeless classic.
Since its founding in 1978, and under the leadership of award-winning Artistic Director and Resident Choreographer, Toni Pimble, Eugene Ballet has grown to become one of the West’s busiest and most versatile professional dance companies. Built upon an engaging repertoire of full-length classical ballets, contemporary works, and accessible family programs, Eugene Ballet continues to collaborate across multiple cultural disciplines to create innovative new pieces, as well as timeless classics like The Nutcracker.
ConocoPhillips Alaska sponsors The Nutcracker and supports a community dress rehearsal for clients of local social service organizations. More than 1,000 people will experience the magic of this treasured ballet for free, thanks to support from ConocoPhillips.
Experience the joy and wonder of The Nutcracker with Eugene Ballet, Nov. 28-30 in the Atwood Concert
Hall. Presented by Anchorage Concert Association. Sponsored by ConocoPhillips Alaska, TOTE Maritime Alaska, and Anchorage Daily News.
Tickets and more info available at the CenterTix box office (263-ARTS) and anchorageconcerts.org.
